Do you think a women's size 16 is fat?

[LegencyMonsters]

Met a friend for coffee today and we got onto the topic of weight.

I mentioned that I used to be a size 16 and said I’m glad I’m not that size anymore as I was fat. She disagreed, saying a size 16 isn’t fat and pointed out that it’s actually the average size for women in the UK. I replied that while it may be the average, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not fat.

Would you consider a size 16 to be fat or not?

AIBU - YES - of course!
YANBU - NO - Not fat at all!

I’m 5’1 and a size 16 was fat for me. My friend is 6’1 and looks ill below a size 14-16

Just because lots of women are that size doesn’t mean they’re not carrying excess fat. Most women at size 16 are medically overweight and possibly obese.

Depends on hight and figure. At one point I wore size16 tops because of my boobs but size 10/12 bottoms. Sizes don’t mean much

What does that have to do with whether it’s fat or not?

Im a size 16 and Im fat so yes

A size 16 is fat. A size 16 may be uk average but it’s because we are all becoming fatter and more unfit in comparison to previous decades.

It depends on shape curvy or voluptuous isn't the same as fat .

I’m 5’ 3”, 9 st and a size 10 but I’m not really thin, I could drop a stone probably and still not look skinny. Height and build matter a lot!

You all need maths lessons

An apple? Far round the middle?

Depends on height. I’m a size 16 and 5’10. I would clsss myself as midsize. On someone that was considerably shorter ie 5’2, they may well look on the fatter side.

Yes. It's fat if you're 5'3". I'm size 14-16 and for sure I'm overweight.

depends how tall you are.

Could be fat, could just be a large lady. Pinch your tummy and find out.

I mean yeah it's fat but I've been a size 26 so 16 for me feels much, much less fat.

This is so fascinating because I’m 5”3 and when I was a size 14 I was 9.5 stone, so well within a healthy BMI and not fat at all. I was a size 8 when I was under 7 stone and I looked ill. I remember I couldn’t understand how anyone could be a size 6 because I was so thin!

What are you basing this on - Shop sizes? They all differ. Go to Marks and bet you will not be a size 16 in all their clothes but confusingly will be in some. Go to Next where you definitely will probably come in a size smaller. I could go on and on but what is the point. If you are basing it on shop sizes it is down to the cut of the fabric.

I’m 5’8” and a size sixteen. I definitely feel fat! Menopause and a love of cake … 😬

If you went on bmi and then most of us are fat me included. However it depend what your interpretation of fat is so you are never going to get a concise answer here. I don’t think I look fat at all but I bet others look at me and think that I am. Same way we look at skinny people and think they are too thin.

Yes I think it is

I think a lot of women (particularly older women) buy size 16 tops and jumpers as they were always that size. Also many people like things big and baggy, but in reality they are not actually a 16.

Yes, in most cases, size 16 is fat, as a genuine size 16 (not someone who buys clothes bigger than they are), is unlikely to be in the healthy weight BMI range. There may be some exceptions of course, but I’m talking about in most cases.

I am 5’3 and I am a size 10 when I tip into the ‘overweight’ BMI range. If I was a size 16 I would be obese.

I too raised an eyebrow on the other thread.

Yes, a 16 is a large in most clothes stores.

I’d say someone who is a 16 is likely to have a BMI over 25. However someone taller, with wider hips hourglass isn’t going to look the same as someone smaller and pear shape

I’d also question whether it is the average size now everyone is shrinking

@hollystar500

I’d also question whether it is the average size now everyone is shrinking

If you’re referring to the impact of WLI’s - while a lot of people are on them - is it a couple of million now? - that is still only a small proportion of obese people. It’s going to be a long time before the average size reduces significantly because of that.